Saturday 27 November 2010

Cath Kidston Factory Shop now open

Cath Kidston Store Front
And it's in my part of the world for a change!  CK moved their warehouse operation recently and there were rumours that there would be a mini outlet type shop a while ago and I had begun to think the idea had been shelved then I saw this link today on their website


For any of you Cambridgeshire based bloggers out there the shop is open 7 days a week and I for one will be popping down this weekend to have a looky.  I promise to report back on what it's like, prices, and hopefully a few sneeky piccies.

They are also opening a normal store in the city of Cambridge near the Market Square but no dates for that one yet.  Oh I just can't cope with all this excitement! LOL.

Thanks for popping by. x

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Your Home Goes To .................

The lovely Scented Sweetpeas!

Email me your details and I'll send it on it's way to you :o)

Any of you catch up with Kirsty last night?  Got her sky+d and it's raining here which in my world equals crafty programmes whilst flopped on the sofa! xx

Monday 1 November 2010

It's Back - Kirstie's Homemade Home

Kirstie Allsopp
 If like me you really enjoyed her first series last year you then you simply must put this date in your tv planner - TUESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER, 8PM CHANNEL 4!

"Kirstie Allsopp returns for a brand new series, but now she's helping to transform other people's homes beginning with Shaun and Gemma Ward from Wolverhampton. "

A Linen Lovers Dream
Yep she is back on telly and this time she is helping the public transform their homes, I for one cannot wait.  This is what I love about autumn, cozy nights on the sofa with crafty TV programmes, heaven.  Although the OH would say it is his idea of hell LOL!

Sunday 31 October 2010

Your Home Twice

So I get home from the shops, put all the shopping away and then make a cuppa and go sit with my new magazine to read.  After a few flicks of the pages my brain starts telling me something looks familiar, I carry on but my brain keeps on with the familiar thing.  Suddenly I jump up and go to the magazine pile on the coffee table and yep there it is the very same magazine which I now remember buying last weekend, DOH!!
Your Home Magazine
Bad for me but good news for my followers as the spare copy of Your Home magazine is up for grabs.  If you would like the magazine then just leave a comment on this post, only stipulations are that you must already be a follower and be located in the UK.

Closing date for entries is midnight Wednesday 2nd November, I'll draw a name at random and announce on my blog the following day.

Now did I post this already, best check LOL!

Friday 1 October 2010

Popping in with a quick card

It's Friday, yippee!  A bit wet and blustery but hey tis October now so I must accept the change of seasons, bring on lots of cosy evenings knitting by the fire.  Here's a quick card for a friend, nothing terribly challenging about this one.

Birthday Card - Friend
My fave bit is the button and crocheted flower.  The butterflies are from a Martha Stewart punch and papers are Anna Griffin.  The scallop border is from the Fiskars Waterfall punch.
Birthday Card - Friend
Enjoy your weekend everyone. xx


Sunday 26 September 2010

Cath Kidston (esque) Laptop Bag and some knitting

Free parking on a Sunday at my local mall equals some early morning retail therapy.  Today didn't dissappoint as I picked up this gorgeous laptop bag from Primark.  They had these earlier in the year but only in a pale blue ditsy print which didn't tempt me, but this vibrant rose print on a black background did, think it looks very sophisticated.
Cath Kidston look alike laptop bag £8 Primark
Now I don't cart my lappy around much these days but it stays in my lounge and now when not in use it looks sooo much prettier don't you think.  Actually I wish they would make the covers of laptops in prints like these, the standard silver/black is rather dull and dreary.  Come on PC makers give us something pretty to keep out on our tables.

Onto things of a more woolly nature is  my chunky blanket. These are everywhere in the shops and Laura Ashley have some particularly yummy ones, but boy are they pricey and not for my little budget.  Some searching around online and I found just the pattern for my limited skills and by chance I also had the right wool for it in my stash.
Knitted blanket
I'm using Size 8mm circular needles as there are a lot of stitches.  I've not knitted on these type of needles before but have to say I'm finding they work really well for the blanket as you don't get the weight of the item pulling down on your needles, the knitting just rests in your lap the whole time.
Hip to be Square blanket - Source Ravelry
Hoping mine looks half as good as this when it is done. 

The pattern comes from Ravelry and is a free download with other pictures and wool suggestions too.  I find myself going to this site a lot for information and ideas.  Head on over there and take a look at all the wonderful things people make with wool and some needles.

Thanks for popping by.

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Thursday 23 September 2010

Fabric Dollshouse - how cute!

Doing a bit of surfing as you do and came across this most adorable Fabric Dollshouse by Gisele Grahame.

Fabric Dollshouse - Gisele Graham
Just look at those colours, I'd love to live in a house like this.  And the inside is just as cute.
Fabric Dollshouse (interior) - Gisele Graham
What little girl wouldn't love this as a present, or an older girl for that matter, i.e me!  They are not cheap at rrp £54 but there's a lot of work gone into that.  Or if like me you love to sew then this would be a great project as you don't actually need loads of fabric and could use up lots of scraps, and we all have a ton of those stashed away don't we. 

Scottie dog welcomes you home!
I'm off back to my traditional brick house now and will probably be working out how I could cover it all in fabric LOL.  Enjoy your day.

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Saturday 28 August 2010

It's my Mum's Birthday today

 To celebrate we are all off for a lovely meal at our local Indian Restaurant.  She didn't want much in the way of pressies, just to go out and not have to cook or clear up afterwards.  We did make her a cake and had it with some tea and the giving of cards this afternoon with our nan.
My sister and I had grand plans for the cake originally but being the naughty daughters that we are left our planning a bit too late so just winged it with some colour buttercream.  Can you spot the mistake in the photo?  Yep it's only half the cake, whilst greedily tucking into it we suddenly remembered we hadn't photographed it!
I got some yummy Stampin Up Kraft cardstock in the post yesterday which I ordered from the lovely Mandi over at Enchanted Occasions and couldn't wait to use it.
The papers are Anna Griffin punched with the Fiskars Waterfall border punch.  It kinda reminds me of sun awnings.
Recently purchased Myler templates were used for this pink and sparkly butterfly card.  I just cut out two of butterflies then scored the edge of one of them and glued them together at the edge to make a standup card. 
 In the sunlight this morning (which has now gone I might add) it really did twinkle.
Finally got round to making use of some of the goodies I won from the very kind Rose over at Victoria Rose Crafts.  The tag was part of some Tilda embellishments who I just adore.
I've mixed it with some Papermania paper trimmed with a wavy blade on my Purple Cows trimmer.
This last card is classic in design and again relies heavily on Anna Griffin papers and ribbon.  I do find myself using her stuff an awful lot. 
Now all that's left to do is beautify ourselves for this evenings feast.  I'll be wearing something comfortable though as I have been known to eat the odd thing or two when I am out!

Thanks for popping by and hope your bank holiday has some sunshine in it ;o)

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Wednesday 25 August 2010

Homemade Blackberry Jam - My first adventure

Not far from where I live there is a large nature reserve.  In the reserve there are loads of blackberry bushes and the other week armed with our baskets we went foraging.  The blackberries have ripened early this year and there were plenty to be had.  After 2 hours we had managed to collect just under 6kg between us, defnitely worth all the wrestling with thorns and stinging nettles.
Back at the house I soaked them in lightly salted water to rid them of any nasties.  Then laid them out to air dry.  Some of them were frozen for use in winter puds, the best way to do this is lay them out on trays first in the freezer then transfer them to bags/boxes, that way you don't end up with a clump of frozen fruit.  The remainder was destined for my first adventure in jam making.  You don't need anything complicated, just the following:
  • Large heavy based stock pot or similar
  • Glass Jars
  • Jam Sugar
  • Your chosen fruit
  • 3 saucers
  • Jam funnel or similar
  • Wax paper (optional)

The recipe I used was from Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess', one of my all time faves.

Before you start, wash your jars and lids in hot soapy water and rinse, then stand them upside down on a baking tray and place in the oven at 150C to sterlise them.  You will also need to place your 3 saucers into the freezer.  Now you can start with the jam.
    Place your fruit into your pan over a low heat for 5 mins to warm it up.  Then with heat still low gradually add the jam sugar, stirring until it is all dissolved and there are no signs of crystals.  Now you are ready to turn the heat up to high and bring your jam up to a rolling boil, that is where the mixture bubbles wildly even when you stir it.  
    Keep it like this for approximately 10mins, always stirring.  If you get any scum on the top just skim it off but don't worry too much about it.  Take one of your saucers out of the freezer.  Put a teaspoon of the jam onto it, wait for a minute then push it with your finger, if the jam is ready it will wrinkle away from you, if not try again with another saucer after a couple of more minutes.  Once you are happy with it turn off the heat and stir in the knob of butter, this gets rid of any last bits of scum and makes it go all gorgeous and glossy.  You're now ready to fill your jars.  This bit can get a bit messy but that just adds to the fun in my opinion! Make sure you fill your jars while they and the jam are still hot.

    I add wax discs to the top of my jam but if you don't want to do that just ensure they are filled to the top.  Put on your lids and ensure they are tight and then leave them to cool.  The cooling process causes a vacuum seal ensuring the jam will stay fresh for anything upto 1 year (or sometimes longer) unopened.


    All that's left to do now is pretty them up with labels and some scrap fabric.  Just like the ones in those posh garden centres but for a fraction of the price.  I made 7 x 200ml jars with this recipe, there are only 3 in the picture as family members were quick to nab some!
    The tags were made using my nestibilitie dies and one of the stamps from Anna Griffin's In The Kitchen range.
    Oh and the jars I used were those cute little spice jars you get at Ikea that come in a pack of 4 for only £1.99.  I'd had loads of them for my craftroom bits but had switched to something else so these were just knocking around.

    HAPPY JAMMING EVERYONE.


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    Tuesday 24 August 2010

    Anna Griffin TSV on QVC tonight

    Just popping in to let all you crafters out there know that over on QVC tonight at midnight Anna Griffin is launching a TSV.  It is going to be a  Christmas crafting kit, no price as yet but normally around £20-30 in the past.  Have a couple of piccies for you.


    I had her last Christmas TSV kit a couple of years ago and it was amazing.  Such style and great quality, still have some left as couldn't bear to use it all up!  Oh and I think there are some special prices on her other stuff too as it is her anniversary show as well.

    Happy shopping ;o)
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    Thursday 12 August 2010

    Cath Kidston Bedding - John Lewis Specials

    Yes I'm still alive and thought I'd share some bargains for all you Cath Kidston fans out there.

    Currently John Lewis have over 30% off the following bedding sets:

    Cath Kidson Classic Rose Duvet Set - Double down from £66 to just £45!  They have Kingsize £50 and Superking £55 too.  Click here for more info.

    Cath Kidston Summer Blossom Duvet Set - Double down from £66 to just £45!  They have Kingsize £50 and Superking £55 too.  Click here for more info.

    And they all come with free delivery and returns.  I just love shopping with JL.

    Other CK news is they are relocating their distribution centre to larger premises in Cambridgeshire and get this, it is going to have a factory outlet attached to it!!  I can't wait.

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    Wednesday 14 July 2010

    Birthday Boy Cards

    So twas the nephews turn yesterday, 19 years and getting more handsome every year.  Being a boy he doesn't do all that fluffy party stuff and just wanted to veg with his mates in front of the Lord of the Rings Triology!  At least we were allowed to give him cards, magic ones again as he is saving for some swish new telly.  His old one is newer and better than my main one in the lounge, there's something wrong somewhere lol.

    Can you tell what football team he supports?


    Now this card may not make sense to those of us less trendy mortals who are over the age of 20, but basically Penguin is apparently a cool brand of clothing for the boys!  I think he found it amusing.


    And lastly, what every guitar playing man should have, why a guitar themed card of course!

    I hope you liked them all.  I still have two more birthdays this month, most of our families fall in July or November.  We're like buses, none for ages then loads arrive all at once :o)



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    Monday 12 July 2010

    Pretty parcels and cute puppy

    Afternoon to you all.  Bit grey here in the UK today, quite a shock after all the glorious sunshine we've been having, had to go and get myself a cardi to put on!   So whilst it is a bit cooler in the craftroom thought i would share some lovely goodies that I was lucky enough to win over at Victoria Rose Crafts.  Rose has a lovely blog, pop on over and pay her visit.

    All wrapped in up in tissue and with a card, just lovely.

    And look what loveliness lay inside them!  She personally made the slippers to fit my big feet which was so sweet of her and you can just about see the hairband at the back which I wore in the garden whilst hanging out the washing!  I'm particularly looking forward to playing with the yummy fabric and tilda card stuff.  Thank you again for your generosity Rose. x

    Okay, so do you wanna see the cutest puppy ever?

    Just look at that face!!!  His name is Archibald and he belongs to a friend.  They've had him a week already and he is now 10 weeks old, I think?  Isn't he the cutest ever.  I want one, oh how I want one of these, but unfortunately I don't think my 3 little minxes (cats) would be best pleased!  So I'll have to get my fix with this one won't I.  He's gonna be one super loved doggie.

    Ooh how handsome does he look here.  He's gonna have all the ladies after him!

    Oi!  These are my toys, go get your own, lol.

    I could go on about Archie for ever and a day but I don't want all my lovely readers drifting off with boredom at my repetiveness so I shall stop here :o)

    Do you have any special four legged (or other) friends?  What are their names?  Do leave me a comment, I always enjoy reading through them and try my best to pop round for a visit. xx

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